Sermon

Click here to watch the sermon with ASL interpretation.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing about this message that you found particularly compelling, encouraging, challenging, or beneficial?
2. Read and discuss Galatians 4:4-7. What does this tell us about us? What does it reveal about the nature and character of God? What are the implications for how we live everyday life?
3. Discuss this statement: “The more we understand our spiritual adoption, the more we rest in God and act in love.” What does it mean to be a part of God’s family in adoption?  How is that more than simply being forgiven of your sins?  
4. What ideas of “family” come to mind when we think of being accepted and experiencing deep belonging or unity?  Where does the world try to offer you a sense of “family” and how might that fall short to being “adopted as sons”?  
5. How do we often “read the bible backwards”?  How does this idea help us understand the role of God’s commandments in the context of our spiritual adoption?  Why is it important to understand “the order of operations,” that is, which comes first?  Where do we tend to treat God more like a boss than a Father? 
6. How does knowing we are secure in God’s family help us to rest from trying to prove ourselves in a given circumstances or environments?
7. How does knowing we are secure in God’s family help us to act in love to the world around us?  To forgive, to not compare ourselves, to give freely of our time, talents or gifts?   
8. As you consider questions 6 and 7, how does the gospel of Jesus Christ provide the security necessary to live this way?
9. What else was God sharing with you from the message? 
10. Spend some time in prayer for the things you’ve discussed as you give thanks to God for the adoption He has extended to us through Christ.